CLM Fireproofing, a passive fire protection specialist with 35 years of industry experience, posted a Fire Protection Labourer role in Southwark on Match My Project. No previous experience was required. The role offered the chance to learn on the job and build skills in the industry.

B Young Stars, a youth organisation based at Woolwich Common Youth Club that supports young people through education, sport and mentoring, saw the opening as an opportunity that could suit Said Yusuf.

A little over a year later, Said has completed his NVQ Level 3, holds a CSCS blue skilled worker card and is studying towards a Level 3 qualification in Passive Fire Protection with the Institution of Fire Engineers. He is also progressing towards supervisory work.

Finding the right opportunity

Abdigani Mohamoud, Founder of B Young Stars, already knew Said through the local community. He also knew that Said, a civil engineering graduate, was looking for work in construction.

Said had been unemployed for around eight months and was finding it difficult to break into the construction industry.

When Abdi saw CLM’s Fire Protection Labourer opportunity, Said came to mind.

“It offered a chance to learn on the job, build skills and gain real industry exposure, which aligned well with what he was looking for.”

B Young Stars submitted Said’s CV through Match My Project. Within a week, CLM contacted him to arrange an interview. A month later, they got back in touch with the news that he had been offered the job.

“Opportunities like this can be difficult for us to find independently, particularly placements within established companies that provide genuine work experience.”

Abdigani Mohamoud reflects on the impact of the outcome

What the opportunity means for Said Yusuf

Said joined CLM as a labourer. Since then, he has progressed into a qualified fire stopper role while continuing his training and working on site.

Abdi says that progression matters because people entering construction can find it difficult to move beyond their first role.

Said’s circumstances have made the opportunity particularly significant. He is a newly married father, and having steady work that allows him to provide for his family has shaped how he talks about his career.

Abdi remembers the moment Said told him he had secured the role.

“I knew how much he wanted to get into construction and how difficult it had been for him to find the right opportunity. Seeing him get that chance was really rewarding.”

Abdi believes Said’s route into the business has brought someone who is developing quickly and bringing a strong personal commitment to the role.

“Because he came through this supported route rather than a conventional hiring process, CLM gained someone who is not only technically capable and already progressing rapidly within the company, but who also has a personal drive and commitment that comes from overcoming a long period of unemployment and wanting to build a better future for his family.”

A route worth opening up

The match gave B Young Stars a way to put someone they already knew in front of an employer offering the kind of opportunity he had been looking for. 

Abdi’s advice to businesses considering creating similar opportunities is that “Social Value is not just about meeting a requirement. It’s about creating genuine opportunities that can make a difference to people’s lives.”

He also gives advice to community organisations using Match My Project.

“Look at the people you already support, understand what they are hoping to do, and keep an eye out for opportunities that could give them a route in. This small intervention can make the difference.”

Match My Project is pleased to share Said Yusuf’s journey.

About Match My Project

Match My Project is a digital marketplace that connects businesses with community organisations and residents to deliver Social Value in local communities. It takes approximately eight minutes to add a project. Get in touch at hello@matchmyproject.org to find out how your organisation can get started.